Fitzgerald says QB 'running around great

' Trumpy out for season

"I'm sorry we don't have a 'sky is falling' attitude around here," he said after sensing public backlash to his team's 38-35 loss at Illinois. "Our guys believe it like I believe it: We've got a darn good football team."

Consider it a case of raised expectations that one reporter asked Fitzgerald about having to win Saturday to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since starting 2-3 in 2007.

NU's 2-2 record is partially a function of its schedule. The Wildcats have played three road games, which is three more than Illinois and Michigan combined.

The Wolverines visit Evanston on Saturday for the 13th night game in Ryan Field history. The game is sold out except to those who purchase season tickets.

"We're ready to get home and play in front of our students," Fitzgerald said.

Dan Persa will be under center, but tailback Mike Trumpy is out for the season after tearing his left ACL.

Trumpy led Northwestern with 5.2 yards per carry, but his loss is not considered critical. Trumpy is about on par with tailbacks Treyvon Green and Adonis Smith, and Jacob Schmidt remains an excellent receiver and short-yardage runner.

The Persa news is huge because with him healthy, the Wildcats jumped out to a 28-10 third-quarter lead at Illinois. His play (10-for-14, four touchdown passes) resulted in a 239.51 single-game passer rating that ranks ninth-highest among all FBS quarterbacks this season.

Persa left the game early in the fourth quarter after Illinois' Michael Buchanan hit the back of his right foot on a diving sack. Persa limped off the field and did not return with what NU officials termed "soreness" near his surgically repaired Achilles' tendon.

"Dan Persa worked out (Monday) and was great," Fitzgerald said, "so we expect him to be great on Saturday."

Asked the uncertainty regarding Persa's condition, Fitzgerald replied: "The only question about his health is from you, the media. He's ready to go. He was running around great (Monday). He's coming off a major injury, and when he gets a little dinged up, we're going to err on the side of being smart."

Fitzgerald reiterated his confidence in backup Kain Colter, who completed his two pass attempts Saturday but appeared impatient in the pocket on a fourth-and-8.

"We have a great situation," Fitzgerald said. "If Danny has to go out for a little bit (Saturday) … Kain is pretty spectacular."